The Duck Thread

[chickmomma03]

I started incubating 3 duck eggs a few weeks ago, 2 didn't make it (not sure why, temp and humidity were good, it's my first time incubating eggs ever). One is almost ready for hatch. Getting so stinking excited I can barely contain myself! I candled tonight quickly to check and I'm pretty sure it's almost time?! I took some pictures real quick:

 

[OldMissionChick]

Do you mean you candled them and there's no movement? I hope not. I don't want to see you go through that disappointment.

Unfortunately yes nothing at all. I think I am still going to keep them in the incubator till the end to see if I am wrong. There is one that is almost completely dark, but still didnt see anything moving. Maybe my ducks were too young, they had been laying for 4-5 weeks before I started collecting them. Or it could of been the crazy weather here in Northern Michigan, had to turn on the pellet stove last Sunday. Now this week back up in the 80's again. Not sure if I want to try another hatch or not since winter is right around the corner.
Sorry about your duck sending hugs!

 

[chickmomma03]

Quote: Not trying to give false hope (this is my first incubation ever), but for several days I couldn't see my little duckie moving in the egg. I was getting worried. I could see distinct vibrant veins though so I was puzzled (everything I read said they'd disappear if they're no longer alive in the egg). I candled 2 nights ago and to my surprise I saw his/her little beak just moving and moving, and the shading in the egg had grown. Candled quickly tonight and he/she is even bigger, the air sac grew (appropriately), and the veining looks great (nice, vibrant, and very distinct). He/she is in the perfect position for hatch, hoping it will happen soon. Maybe you're catching when they're resting? Check and see if you see any clear, healthy, and distinct blood veining. I have been shining my led flashlight in from air sac side and angling a little as needed.

 

[OldMissionChick]

Not trying to give false hope (this is my first incubation ever), but for several days I couldn't see my little duckie moving in the egg. I was getting worried. I could see distinct vibrant veins though so I was puzzled (everything I read said they'd disappear if they're no longer alive in the egg). I candled 2 nights ago and to my surprise I saw his/her little beak just moving and moving, and the shading in the egg had grown. Candled quickly tonight and he/she is even bigger, the air sac grew (appropriately), and the veining looks great (nice, vibrant, and very distinct). He/she is in the perfect position for hatch, hoping it will happen soon. Maybe you're catching when they're resting? Check and see if you see any clear, healthy, and distinct blood veining. I have been shining my led flashlight in from air sac side and angling a little as needed.

This was also my first hatch. I am hoping I always catch them "asleep" since I have only seen a little flicker once. That's why I am going to follow thru rather than give up. If they are due to hatch Friday I need to remove the turner Wednesday correct? And my air cells are angled so make sure they are upright?

 

[chickmomma03]

Quote: I don't know about the turner because I hand turned the whole time (homemade incubator). I have air cell side angled upright. I was told to make sure it's angled up near hatch. Hopefully someone more experienced can chime in on that one.

 

[chickmomma03]

If you pull out to turn make sure it's really almost pitch black around you for good candling, I did learn that much. You can see veining so much better etc!

 

[OldMissionChick]

If you pull out to turn make sure it's really almost pitch black around you for good candling, I did learn that much. You can see veining so much better etc!

We dont have blinds/curtains since we live in the woods so I have to wait until after 9pm to candle. I use an LED flashlight and go from the top to the bottom and all around.

 

[WVduckchick]

We lost our best little show girl overnight last night. Acting fine when they went in the pen last night, came out this morning to find her floating in the pond already gone. I'm so depressed I can't even think of anything to do today other than mess around on the Internet and try not to think.

So sorry for your loss...

Day 23 of my duck eggs in the incubator. I was hopeful for at least 7 of the 31 but no movement tonight

not sure if I should try again or if its to late in the year

You could water candle them, but I'd give them more time and see what happens. As long as they don't start stinking, don't give up hope yet.

I started incubating 3 duck eggs a few weeks ago, 2 didn't make it (not sure why, temp and humidity were good, it's my first time incubating eggs ever). One is almost ready for hatch. Getting so stinking excited I can barely contain myself! I candled tonight quickly to check and I'm pretty sure it's almost time?! I took some pictures real quick:

Still a lot of clear area, so you might have a few more days, but looking good! Air cell looks a bit small, unless your hand is covering a good bit of it. What day are you on?

I don't know about the turner because I hand turned the whole time (homemade incubator). I have air cell side angled upright. I was told to make sure it's angled up near hatch. Hopefully someone more experienced can chime in on that one.

They "normally" pip close to the lowest part of the dip in the air cell, so that's usually what most people point upwards at lockdown.

 

[JadeComputerGal]

This was also my first hatch. I am hoping I always catch them "asleep" since I have only seen a little flicker once. That's why I am going to follow thru rather than give up. If they are due to hatch Friday I need to remove the turner Wednesday correct? And my air cells are angled so make sure they are upright?

If you're saying Friday is day 28, you'd stop the turner on Tuesday. You also want to increase the RH to around 65%. Like you said, there's no point this late in the game in giving up.

 

[Julie Birb]

We lost our best little show girl overnight last night. Acting fine when they went in the pen last night, came out this morning to find her floating in the pond already gone. I'm so depressed I can't even think of anything to do today other than mess around on the Internet and try not to think.

Oh no. I am so sorry,. Sweetie. I cannot imagine what you are going thru. That is so sad.